Patient choosing glasses with an NHS voucher in Birmingham

Can you get free glasses on Attendance Allowance or PIP?

It's one of the questions we're asked most. The honest answer is: Attendance Allowance on its own doesn't give you free glasses, and neither do Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA). They aren't income-related benefits, so they don't count for NHS optical vouchers.

But many people who get them can still get help, either because of their age, another benefit, or the NHS Low Income Scheme. Here's how it works in England.

Free eye test vs free glasses

These are two separate things.

  • A free NHS eye test is available to far more people, including everyone aged 60 or over. Most people on Attendance Allowance are over State Pension age, so their eye test is free anyway.
  • An NHS optical voucher towards glasses has stricter rules. Age alone doesn't qualify you.

Who gets an NHS voucher towards glasses?

You can get a voucher if you:

  • Are under 16, or 16 to 18 and in full-time education
  • Get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Get Universal Credit within the earnings limits, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support
  • Have a valid HC2 certificate (full help) or HC3 certificate (partial help) from the NHS Low Income Scheme
  • Need complex lenses

So if you get Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you can get a voucher because of the Pension Credit. It's worth checking: many pensioners who could get Pension Credit don't claim it, and Attendance Allowance can increase the amount you're entitled to.

The NHS Low Income Scheme: HC2 and HC3

If you don't get a qualifying benefit but money is tight, you can apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme using form HC1. It looks at your income and savings. If you qualify, you'll get:

  • HC2: full help, which includes a voucher towards glasses
  • HC3: partial help, with a reduced voucher amount

You can apply online through the NHS Business Services Authority, or pick up a form from a Jobcentre or some GP surgeries and pharmacies.

What does a voucher get you at Direct Vision?

With a voucher you can choose a pair from our NHS voucher range at no cost, or put your voucher towards any of our complete pairs and just pay the difference. Our glasses start from £59 including frames and single vision lenses. The voucher value depends on your prescription.

What if I don't qualify for any help?

Your eye test is still free if you're 60 or over, and glasses with us start from £59 with second pair half price on all private complete pairs. See our prices.

Not sure what you're entitled to?

Bring proof of any benefits you get to your appointment and we'll check what help you can have. You can also read our guides to free eye tests on Universal Credit and benefits, NHS eligibility and eye tests for over 60s, or call Great Barr on 0121 325 0665 or Sheldon on 0121 742 9599.

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